Chargers, Dalvin Tomlinson Agree To Deal
Dalvin Tomlinson has lined up his next opportunity. The veteran defensive tackle has agreed to terms with the Chargers, per his agency (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network).
Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport reports this is a one-year deal. Tomlinson is in line to collect $7.5MM with $6MM of that figure fully guaranteed. The Bolts will be his fifth career NFL team.
The Bolts have specialized in low-cost veteran D-linemen during Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz‘s time in Los Angeles. The team has brought in the likes of Da’Shawn Hand, Poona Ford, Teair Tart and Naquan Jones on low-cost deals. Ford and Tart played their way into bigger deals — Tart’s coming with the Bolts — after impressing for low-level money. Tomlinson checks in with a higher pay rate by comparison to the original pacts for the aforementioned D-linemen, but he has now been cut twice in two years.
The Browns released Tomlinson in 2025, and the Cardinals cut him days ago. Tomlinson follows Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave as D-tackles being cap casualties twice in two years only to find a new home shortly after. The Chargers are Tomlinson’s fifth team, as he played for the Giants and Vikings before signing a big-ticket Browns contract.
A 142-game starter throughout a nine-year career, Tomlinson has only missed seven career games. The former second-round pick logged 17 starts for the Cardinals last season. Pro Football Focus graded the run stuffer 114th among 127 qualified interior D-linemen last season. PFF viewed Tomlinson’s run defense as having fallen off considerably; the Chargers obviously disagree. Though, Tomlinson has needed to take pay cuts in each of the past two years. After the Browns moved his four-year, $57MM contract off their payroll, the Cardinals gave the 335-pound defender a two-year, $29MM accord.
Tomlinson, 32, was far more disruptive in Cleveland. He tallied a career-high 18 quarterback hits in 2024; he racked up 12 in his 2023 Browns debut season. That helped him secure the Arizona pact. Combining for 10 TFLs with the Browns, Tomlinson totaled three in 2025 with a career-low three QB hits.
Tart re-signed with the Bolts on a three-year, $30MM deal. That represents the top D-line commitment during the Harbaugh-Hortiz years. The team still rosters 2025 third-rounder Jamaree Caldwell — though, the Chargers’ Jamaree count is down to one after Jamaree Salyer joined the Dolphins today — and 2024 fourth-rounder Justin Eboigbe. Tomlinson will mix in with younger players under new Bolts DC Chris O’Leary.
In other Chargers news, Tyler Biadasz‘s three-year, $30MM deal includes $17MM guaranteed (per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson). Of that total, $15MM is guaranteed at signing. Trey Pipkins‘ third Chargers contract (two years, $10MM) carries $4.58MM guaranteed, Wilson adds. If the veteran O-lineman is on L.A.’s roster by Day 3 of the 2027 league year, he will earn a $1MM roster bonus.
Cole Strange‘s two-year, $13MM pact comes with $7MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. A $2MM injury guarantee is in place for 2027, per Wilson, who adds that figure will become fully guaranteed on Day 3 of the 2027 league year. That day also carries a $1MM roster bonus for the veteran guard. Fullback Alec Ingold‘s two-year, $7.5MM deal comes with $3.56MM guaranteed, according to OverTheCap. Safety Deane Leonard‘s latest Bolts contract is a one-year, $2MM accord, Wilson tweets. Leonard will see $1.22MM guaranteed.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Chargers To Sign G Cole Strange
Cole Strange is heading to Los Angeles. The former first-round pick reached an agreement with the Chargers this evening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Strange will ink a two-year deal worth $13MM, per Schefter. This move reunites the lineman with Mike McDaniel, who took a chance on Strange in Miami.
The lineman was considered a reach when the Patriots selected him out of Chattanooga in 2022. Strange started all 17 of his appearances as a rookie but was limited to 10 games as a sophomore thanks to a torn patellar tendon. He was activated back to the active roster the following December, and he ultimately got into three games for the 2024 Patriots. He was cut by the organization at the end of the 2025 preseason.
After initially catching on with the Browns practice squad, Strange joined the Dolphins active roster in September. He proceeded to start all 14 of his appearances with Miami, with Pro Football Focus crediting him with 21 pressures allowed and 16 hurries allowed. Strange was also responsible for a pair of sacks.
Still, McDaniel apparently saw enough in the lineman to recruit him to Los Angeles. The Chargers are down both of their starting offensive guards; the team released Mekhi Becton and free agent Zion Johnson agreed to a three-year, $49.5MM contract with the Browns today. The front office re-signed Trevor Penning, although he could profile as OT insurance behind Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. That means Strange may initially be pencilled into the Chargers starting lineup.
Dolphins Considering RG Change
Miami’s offensive line has dealt with a number of notable absences early in the season. That includes right guard James Daniels suffering a pectoral injury which has landed him on injured reserve. 
In need of additional help up front, the Dolphins added Cole Strange off the Patriots’ practice squad. The former first-rounder has yet to play this season, though, and it appears a starting spot could remain unavailable on the right side at least. It is unclear at this point who will man the RG position in Week 4.
Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) a competition has been taking place at that spot in recent days. Kion Smith received the start in Weeks 2 and 3, but during the Dolphins’ loss against Buffalo he was replaced by Daniel Brunskill. Those two have taken first-team reps during practice, although Jackson notes Strange has also received a look with the starting O-line at both guard positions.
Smith has yet to be charged with a sack allowed by PFF in 2025. In spite of that, the former UDFA has not drawn strong evaluations for his play. Brunskill took over starting duties at the right guard spot midway through the Dolphins’ loss against the Bills, and his performance upon doing so resulted in relatively positive reviews aside from the play which resulted in a critical fourth quarter interception. Jackson adds it would come as little surprise if Brunskill, 31, were to start against the Jets on Monday.
A veteran of 94 appearances and 66 starts, Brunskill certainly represents the most experienced option available to the Dolphins at this point. He has previously worked as Miami’s backup center, but a run at guard would mark a return to Brunskill’s most familiar position. While Daniels continues to recover, it will be interesting to see how the winless Dolphins proceed up front.
Dolphins’ Darren Waller Will Debut In Week 4
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller will finally make his return to the NFL on Sunday against the Jets.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said on Saturday (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) that the 33-year-old “looks firmly ready to contribute, which is why he will play in the game.”
Waller came out of retirement this offseason to replace Jonnu Smith after he was traded to the Steelers. McDaniel also noted that the 6-foot-6 tight end would add some much-needed size to Miami’s group of pass-catchers.
Waller spent most of training camp ramping up after more than a year away from the field. He was activated from the physically unable to perform list in late August but suffered a hip strain before the regular season.
The Dolphins offense has struggled to start the year with minimal production from tight ends Julian Hill and Tanner Conner. Smith proved with his breakout 2024 that the position isn’t completely ignored in McDaniel’s offense, and the team is hoping that Waller can replicate some of his impact. Waller’s size should help in the red zone, but it’s worth noting that he only has 20 career touchdowns across 63 starts with only one season with more than three scores.
Miami’s offense could make another change on Sunday after an early-season competition at right guard following an injury to Week 1 starter James Daniels. Kion Smith took over after Daniels and started the next two games, but was benched last week for Daniel Brunskill. Former Patriots first-rounder Cole Strange has also taken first-team reps at guard this week and could factor into the picture, giving Miami multiple alternates if their starter – likely Brunskill, per Jackson – falters.
Dolphins To Sign G Cole Strange Off Browns’ Practice Squad
Amid a rash of injuries along their offensive line, the Dolphins are signing offensive guard Cole Strange off of the the Browns’ practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Miami was already without Liam Eichenberg entering the regular season. The versatile lineman was expected to be the team’s primary backup at guard but landed on the physically unable to perform list in training camp. Eichenberg was not activated during final roster cuts and will be out for at least three more games.
The Dolphins then lost starting right guard James Daniels (pectoral) and starting right tackle Austin Jackson (toe) in Week 1. Needing depth at guard, they poached Strange from the Browns’ practice squad. He lined up at all three interior spots in the preseason and could be called upon to replace Daniels right away.
Strange, 27, was a surprise first-round pick in 2022. He started 17 games at left guard for the Patriots as a rookie but seemed to lose his job entering the 2023 season. He only started two of the team’s first six games with healthy scratches for the other four, but returned to start the next eight contests before a torn patellar tendon ended his season. Strange started the 2024 season on the PUP list and didn’t return to the field until late December. He started the last two games of the year at center.
The Patriots’ offseason coaching change and offensive line additions casted doubt on Strange’s future. Rookie Jared Wilson took over at left guard with veteran Garrett Bradbury starting at center, squeezing Strange out of the starting lineup. He couldn’t carve out a backup role and was waived during final roster cuts. The Browns then signed him to their practice squad.
The Dolphins inserted Kion Smith into Sunday’s game to replace Daniels, but Strange offers much more experience with 29 career starts under his belt. Backup center Daniel Brunskill could be another option at right guard; he has 3,300 career snaps at the position, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Daniels is now on IR, according to NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. This marks the second straight season Daniels has landed on IR. An Achilles tear sustained in Week 4 of last season ended Daniels’ Steelers run. He had stayed mostly healthy during his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. While this is not believed to be a season-ending injury, Daniels being out of the mix continues a run of bad injury luck for Dolphins O-linemen. Daniels also has a guarantee vesting date to monitor in 2026. He will see $3.48MM of his 2026 base salary shift to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2026 league year. Returning to full strength will be key for Daniels to secure that guarantee.
Browns To Sign WR Malachi Corley, G Cole Strange
Waived by the Jets after one season, Malachi Corley went unclaimed today. But the 2024 third-round pick will land elsewhere, joining the Browns (per veteran reporter Jordan Schultz). 
This practice squad agreement comes about after Corley had multiple suitors to choose from, per Schultz. He will head to Cleveland in the hopes of rebuilding his value following a poor rookie campaign. The Jets’ new regime elected to move on despite depth questions at the WR position.
Corley managed just three scoreless receptions last year. The Western Kentucky product was seen as a project given his skillset, but his efforts to develop into an NFL regular will take place in a new home. It will be interesting to see if Corley finds himself amongst the Browns’ early taxi squad elevations or makes his way onto the active roster in September.
Cleveland’s receiver room will once again be led by Jerry Jeudy in 2025. The former Broncos first-rounder set a new career high in catches (90) and yards (1,229) during his first Browns campaign, and he will be relied on to duplicate that production as the team sorts out its quarterback situation over the course of the year. The likes of Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash and undrafted rookie Isaiah Bond are also in place on the depth chart.
Corley will be joined on the Browns’ taxi squad by guard Cole Strange. The latter was waived by the Patriots yesterday, marking an unceremonious end to his time in New England. Strange is heading to Cleveland with the expectation of also being elevated to the active roster at some point, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. A backup gig along the interior could be in store by the fall.
Strange’s entry to the NFL was marked by his surprising status as a first-round pick. The Chattanooga product was hampered by injuries, and he was limited to 13 appearances across the past two seasons. When on the field, Strange was part of a Pats O-line which struggled mightily in 2024. With plenty of changes taking place up front under head coach Mike Vrabel, he found himself amongst the team’s roster cuts yesterday.
Now, Strange will join Corley in seeking to take advantage of a change of scenery. At the ages of 27 and 23, respectively, both players could wind up offering upside to the Browns’ offense in time.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Patriots Set 53-Man Roster
Mike Vrabel‘s first roster as Patriots head coach is taking shape. The team announced the following moves as they set their initial 53-man roster:
Released:
Waived:
- CB Miles Battle
- G Mehki Butler
- G Jack Conley
- CB Brandon Crossley
- TE C.J. Dippre
- RB JaMycal Hasty
- OT Demontrey Jacobs
- RB Terrell Jennings
- WR John Jiles
- DE Truman Jones
- C Alec Lindstrom
- DB Kobee Minor
- DT David Olajiga
- LB Cam Riley
- DT Jahvaree Ritzie
- K John Parker Romo
- TE Gee Scott
- G Cole Strange (story)
- LB Bradyn Swinson
- WR Jeremiah Webb
Placed on IR (designated for return):
Placed on IR:
- WR Ja’Lynn Polk
In addition to cutting Strange, the organization also moved on from Demontrey Jacobs, who started 13 games for the Patriots last season. Elsewhere on the OL, it sounds like David Olajiga will land back on New England’s practice squad if he clears waivers, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
Perhaps the most surprising moves were the cuts the Patriots didn’t make. Kyle Dugger will stick around despite days of trade speculation. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots did receive multiple trade offers for the safety, but his $9.75MM salary (and how much the Patriots would be forced to take on) was a hurdle during negotiations. Meanwhile, the Patriots are temporarily holding on to eight wide receivers, with players like Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker making the squad.
Patriots Waive G Cole Strange
Three-plus years after using a first-round pick on Cole Strange, the Patriots are cutting him. New England waived the former starter, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Exiting the offseason program, Strange was believed to be leading the Pats’ left guard battle. That changed during training camp, and he is among the holdovers to have fallen out of favor with the Mike Vrabel-led coaching staff. Mentioned as a potential surprise cut, Strange will exit and leave the Pats with $3.9MM in dead money.
Used at both guard and center during his Patriots tenure, Strange never justified Bill Belichick‘s investment. Chosen 29th overall three years ago, Strange — viewed as a reach at the time — ran into a severe knee injury in Year 2 and never ultimately got back on track. The Pats declined his fifth-year option in April.
Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon in 2023, and the injury sidelined him for most of the 2024 season. When the Patriots brought Strange off their PUP list last year, he worked primarily at center. Vrabel’s staff transitioned him back to guard this offseason, but New England saw third-round pick Jared Wilson made a charge for the LG gig. Wilson appears set to form an all-rookie left side with first-round pick Will Campbell.
The Pats’ initial 53-man roster includes Ben Brown and swingman Caedan Wallace — part of the team’s 2024 left tackle merry-go-round — as interior backups behind Wilson and RG Michael Onwenu. Strange is not yet a vested veteran, so he will be available to claim by 11am CT Wednesday.
Patriots Notes: Offensive Line, Wilson, Strange
AUGUST 8: New England’s entire starting offense is taking part in tonight’s preseason game, and as Kyed notes, that unit includes Wilson handling left guard duties. It will be interesting to see how he fares in his first NFL game action, while Strange’s workload when the backups enter the contest will also be something to monitor.
AUGUST 6: The Patriots’ offensive line is starting to take shape, and it could end up leading to a relatively surprising cut. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald recently observed that rookie third-round pick Jared Wilson appears to be penciled in as New England’s starting left guard.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss echoed Kyed’s report, noting that Wilson has impressed teammates and coaches with his ability to slow down some of the team’s top interior defensive linemen. Reiss also notes that Wilson’s athleticism could be particularly useful in Josh McDaniels‘ system, which often sees the offense pull the guard.
If Wilson does end up sticking at LG, that means the Patriots will be relying on a pair of inexperienced linemen to protect Drake Maye‘s blindside. Wilson would be lining up next to fourth-overall pick Will Campbell, a configuration that could make some fans queasy. However, it sounds like the two rookies are embracing the unexpected challenge.
“We just talk about how fun it’s going to be,” Wilson said of playing next to Campbell (via Karen Guregian of MassLive.com). “Like you said, there are two rookies next to each other, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside. We know it’s going to be a challenge every day. Teams are going to bring their best to us. Just got to be ready.”
With Wilson reportedly claiming one of the spots on the offensive line, the team’s starting configuration is coming into focus. In addition to the two rookies, it sounds like veteran Garrett Bradbury will man the center spot with tackle Morgan Moses and guard Michael Onwenu handling the right side. That means former first-round pick Cole Strange will be without a role, and that could ultimately cost the lineman his spot on the team.
Kyed wrote recently that Strange could be among the team’s surprise cuts, especially since the impending fourth-year player is struggling to establish himself at guard and center. Strange was already a reach when the Bill Belichick-led regime selected him with the 29th-overall pick in the 2022 draft, and the Chattanooga product hasn’t done much to reward the iconic coach’s faith.
After starting all 17 games as a rookie, Strange was limited to 10 games as a sophomore thanks to a torn patellar tendon. He started the 2024 campaign on the PUP list and ended up finishing last season with only three appearances. The team’s recent investment in the offensive line — both via the draft and free agency — already indicated that Strange was on the outside looking in. While the 27-year-old entered training camp penciled into the starting lineup, it now sounds like he’s fighting for a roster spot.
Strange’s roster spot might also be in doubt because of the versatility of some of his teammates. As Kyed recently noted, Caedan Wallace has been playing some offensive guard throughout training camp. The 2024 third-round pick spent the majority of his rookie campaign playing offensive tackle, but his ability to play multiple positions could make players like Strange expendable.
Cole Strange Leading Patriots’ LG Battle
The Patriots’ 2025 offensive line is largely set with Will Campbell at left tackle, Garrett Bradbury at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard, and Morgan Moses at right tackle.
The only spot without a clear starter is left guard, where Cole Strange “appears to be the front-runner” coming out of spring practices, according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe. The 2022 first-rounder started every game at left guard as a rookie and 10 of the team’s first 15 games in 2023 before tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee. The injury sidelined him until December 2024, when he was able to start at center for the Patriots’ last two games of the season.
With Bradbury arriving this offseason on a two-year, $9.5MM contract, Strange is returning to his original position where he faces plenty of competition. Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, and Tyrese Robinson all took first-team reps this spring, per Volin, suggesting that the battle for the starting job will continue well into training camp.
Sow, a 2023 fourth-round pick, started 13 games at right guard as a rookie and profiles as the biggest threat to Strange. Sow was set to start at left guard in 2024 before a preseason ankle injury sidelined him for the first three games. He played every snap at left guard in Week 4, but did not start another game for the rest of the season.
Layden Robinson was drafted in the fourth round last year and closed out his rookie season with five starts at left guard. He bears no relation to Tyrese Robinson, a 2022 undrafted free agent who made his NFL debut in 2024 with Week 18 action for the Patriots at right guard.
Patriots third-round rookie Jared Wilson was described as a “wild card” by Volin, but he rarely lined up at guard in college and missed spring practices with an injury. That will severely lessen the former Bulldog’s chances of winning a starting job as a rookie; overall, Wilson seems more likely to take over from Bradbury at center in 2026 or 2027.